Month: April 2019

has been forced to postpone his long-awaited debut after picking up a calf injury. The former England midfielder had been expected toe losing on-loan midfielder Gonzalo Villar. The 21 year-old's parent club Valencia are in talks to sell the youngster to AS Roma."It's true, there is an important offer for the lad. We are waiting for their decision," said Martin.“I don't want him make his NYCFC bow against Toronto at Yankee Stadium on Sunday evening. But the 37-year-old has been ruled out of making his first MLS start, despite admitting that he is "desperate" to make an appearance that has been 12 months in the making. “I’m hugely disappointed to be missing out on Sunday’s game, which I have been really looking forward to," revealed Lampard. "I’ve been feeling great in training and have loved working with the squad. Unfortunately I sustained a small strain to my calf during a session.” In pictures - Frank Lampard exercises in Central Park “Whilst I’ve been taking it day by day since then and have been involved in light training, I’ve just been advised by the medical team that it needs a few days’ rest for it to heal fully.” “As I.Emery admits new technical director Edu is also already hard at work.He said after victory over Colorado Rapids, "You know better than me they are two Arsenal ex-players! Freddie was working with the Under-23s but when he proposed to us and the club say, it’s personally very disappointing for me but these things happen in football. The good news is that I should be back in full training next week. "While I was desperate to play a role on Sunday, I have to take the advice of our medical team to let it heal and not risk further injury so I can get back on the pitch and play a full role as soon as possible.” New York City will also be without another of their star names, . The World Cup winner's arrival was formally announced this week, but he isn't eligible to make his debut until July 21. Will Frank Lampard be a success at New York City FC?1000+ VOTES SO FAR

has endeared himself to supporters even further by securing them some special offers at his local tattoo parlour. The Foxes' title-winning captain captain revealed the good news to his Twiormance for their 4-0 friendly win over Birmingham City.The Dutchman scored one and assisted another at St Andrew's, and the boss spoke about the striker's qualities following the convincing victory.He said, “Jurgen is a player with a lot of potenttter followerriel Jesus is set for a big club season.Gabriel has helped Brazil reach the Copa America final.And Rivaldo believes his success in the Copa America could give him plenty of confidence to take back to the Etihad."Gabriel Jesus has impressed me. We alls. He wrote: "All you Foxes asked for me to do some offers @ Blue_Ink_Tattoo so here you go! Other designs available just ask!" "Anyone who's already had these designs sorry! But just pop in for a voucher of the difference in price on me! # LCFC". Morgan's Leicester were confirmed as Premier League champions on Monday after a staggering season in which they started as relegation favourites. He partied into the night in Leicester city centre and One passerby in Wetherspoons said: "He was buying drinks for everyone. He bought maybe 55 Jagerbombs. They seemed pretty drunk." Leicester will lift the title in front of their home fans on Saturday after their game against Everton at the King Power.

erformance of Dani Ceballos for victory over Burnley.The midfielder wmer.Spurs will likely be in the market for a new striker to play second fiddle to Harry Kane, with Fernando Llorente to depart the club this summer. However, they have clearly indicated that Dzeko isn't that man, says the Roma-Inter-Milan-Serie-A-Preas named Man of the Match as goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang either side of an Ashley Barnes equaliser gave Arsenal a 2-1 win. Ceballos joined Arsenal o

Philippe Coutinho's injury will not derail season, according to summer signing Loris Karisu. The Brazilian and the club are waiting on the results of a scan to discover just how long he will be out for, report the Karius admits it's a blow but he believes Jurgen Klopp's squad is strong enough to cope with the absence of Coutinho at a crucial stage of the campaign. Divock Origi came off thedefender Jairo Riedewald saw a move to SC Paderborn fall through on deadline day.The Dutchman was in Germany over the weekend to close a deal.But despite passing his medical, Kicker says the move collapsed over terms.All three parties desperately tri bench to make a vital contribution with the opening goal on Saturday. "Of course it's not nice to see your team-mate and so great a player go off injured like that," Karius said. "In the game you can't worry too much about it because we needed to carry on. I'm sure he wanted us to play well and win the game. "After the game everyone was asking how he was. We have to wait and see what the doctor says. "It's hard to say at the moment how long he will be out. He has obviously done something but we are all hoping for the best. "We have a big squad and everyone is fresh because we haven't had many games. "We change a good player out and we still have high quality coming in. That's a very good sign. "Everyone is confident that when we have to change a player, the player coming on keeps the level or even lifts it so that's a really good thing for us." The German keeper made two important saves as Liverpool enjoyed back to back clean sheets for the first time since March. For the most part Karius was a spectator as the Reds remained camped in Sunderland's half. They finally made the breakthrough 15 minutes from time through Origi with James Milner's penalty wrapping up the points. "We knew that Sunderland were in their best form of the season. They had won their last two games so they had some confidence," Karius said. "They didn't make it easy for us in the first half but in the 15 minutes before half-time we started to create more. "Our plan was to keep that going and step it up even more in the second half. We did that and I think it was just a question of when the goal was going to come. "At times Sunderland looked dangerous, We had to be aware of their counter attacks. Defensively and offensively at the moment, we're in a really good flow. "We tried everything to score at Southampton but couldn't. Maybe a lot of people thought it was going to be the same against Sunderland but we kept believing in ourselves. "It's not easy to score when opponents sit so deep. There always seemed to be someone there to block the shot." Liverpool remain second in the Premier League, a point behind leaders Chelsea. Klopp's side look like genuine title contenders but Karius isn't getting carried away. "It still feels like it's a very long way away. There are a lot of games to play. We can't look that far ahead," he added. "Of course it feels good for the whole team when you look at the table every week and you stay up there. "I think this seaSwansea City are close to appointing Steve Cooper as their new manager.Cooper won the U17s World Cup with England in 2017.He will replace Graham Potter, who has taken charge of Brighton.A formal announcement is expected by the end of the week.son is going to be very close. There are very good teams at the top so we need to focus and keep on going. "The clean sheets are a good feeling for everyone. We are staying concentrated for the full 90 minutes. I wouldn't mind a third in a row next weekend."

Manchester United may have spent £25million on , but club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy doesn't believe he's ready to "make a difference" at the club. The former PSV Eindhoven winger, who moved to Old Trafford in the summer, has had a mixed start to life in England. Two goals in his first three games raised fans' expectations but he has only found the net three times in 14 matches since then. And Van Nistelrooy, who scored 150 times in 219 appearances for , told the Oxford Union the 21-year-old is not yet at the level to consider himself a key player. When asked if Depay could emulate the club's other famous No.7s, he said: "Memphis has the quality and ability to do that but I understand your question at this moment in time. "To make a difference at United, it means being really brilliant and being decisive in big games. He is not yet ready for that quite yet." Moving to the Premier League has clearly been a tougher transition than anticipated for Depay, but his compatriot was in no doubt that he would eventually prove himself worthy of hn of Liverpool.The Serbian winger is back at where it all started for him at Partizan and he admitted he is still a keen supporter of the Reds."I support them, of course, I watch them when I have time. I had a contract for many years there and of couis place at United. "He will rise again," Van Nistelrooy added. "He will become better af Demarai Gray for their draw with Wolves.Gray failed to make the starting 11 or the bench, with James Maddison playing wide along with Ayoze Perez, and Marc Albrighton and Harvey Barnes on the bench."It's going to be a very competitive squad and he nd more influential. He is really eager to learn. "When he is with the national team, I have worked very closely with him. We watch his video clips a lot and closely analyse what he can do better and improve upon. As a coach, I always look to accentuate positives to make his strong points even better. He will get there, I'm sure."

Howard Webb believes the were denied a certain penalty in their loss to Defender Toby Alderweireld appeared to kick the head of Ireland striker Shane Long at the start of the second half just seconds before Belgium broke to make the score 1-0. Ireland players were left incensed the decision was missed by Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir during the Group E game in Bordeaux. Webb, the former Premier League and World Cup final referee, was in the ITV studio for the match and claimed that Martin O'Neil's men have every right to feel aggreived. He believes that the referee's opinion of the incident could have been clouded because Alderweireld played the ball before making contact with Long. Webb said: "I can only imagine Cuneyt has not given a penalty because the defender played the ball first before making the contact, which makes it a little bit more complicated. "If it had been the other way round, with contact on Shane Long first, I'm pretty confident that he would have given the penalty. "He has got the help from the guy behind the goal too." Webb continued: "It is with a high foot and he doesn't really have the right to challenge for the ball that high with his foot. In picturethe Champions League final against Tottenham.While Mane insisted there is no lingering disappointment, he believes that can serve as motivation and reckons the experience of last year's defeat by Real Madrid can calm nerves."Of course we would have ls - Belgium 3-0 Republic of Ireland: "He could have gone with his head, I suppose, but it is not so straight forward as people might think actually on the pitch, but when he sees it back, he will see it." Webb also refers back to the controversial red card that Cakir gave to Nani during Manchester United's Champions League clash with Real Madrid back in 2012, which was a similar foul. Belgium went on to with thanks to a double from Romelu Lukaku and an Axeagement.Van Persie was reacting to United's defeat at Newcastle."You can see here's struggling there, if I'm really honest, during that interview," Van Persie told Optus Sport."And I get it if you're manager of Manchester United during this period ofl Witsel header. Should Ireland have been given a penalty against Belgium?0+ VOTES SO FAR

We all know that does exactly what he wants. He is Zlatan. He will exert his awe-inspiring influence on the world. It's as simple as that. With travelling to Sweden to in November to face in the , Zlatan has decided to make a real spectacle of himself. It's something of a homecoming for the mercurial star, who started his senior career with the Swedish club - accordingly, he wants everyone to be able to revel in his return. To facilitate this whim, he's paid for the game to be broadcast to the public from the city's main square. His face will appear on giant municipal screens like somethingto complete a deal for Villarreal midfielder Pablo Fornals on Friday.The 23-year-old has agreed terms on a five-year contract with the Hammers, according to the Villarreal-Friday.html">Daily Mail.Fornals caught the eye of West Ham after a number of t out of George Orwell's 1984, which can only be a good thing. With PSG beating Malmo 2-0 in Paris, he'll be confident of making a victorious display. Not that he ever makes anything else. Anyway, all hail mighty Zlatan! Get to your nearest screen as soon as possible, citizens of Malmo! Should Zlatan's face be broadcast from TVs across the globe atManchester City are planning an offer for Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar in January.City boss Pep Guardiola lost key man Aymeric Laporte to injury against Brighton.The Frenchman is set for an extended spell on the sidelines after surgery.Calciomercato.com says City attempted to sign Skriniar over the summer but failed to do so. Nevertheless, they will return in January with a new offer. all times?500+ VOTES SO FAR

Fresh from scoring in the Merseyside derby, has once more reiterated his desire to be starting striker. The Belgian forward came off the bench and within minutes bagged the Reds’ third goal in their 3-1 win over on Saturday. It was Origi’s 26th appearance of the campaign, but only seven of those have been from the start. The 21-year-old has made it clear in recent weeks that he wants to be seen as the main man at Anfield, at a time where talk is turning to who manager may look to bring in during the summer. Now Origi has reiterated his desire to be seen as someone for the here and now, rather than tomorrow. "I always said I want to be a top striker for this team and I feel that I can be, so I think I'm willing to prove on the pitch that I'm not an option for the future, but an option for today,” said Origi. "The team comes first and I'm very happy to help the team and the supporters and the club, of course." Liverpool’s win, coupled with has the Merseysiders in pole position for a top four place. And Origi is looking for Liverpool to put a run together between now and the end of the season, to ensue their seat at Europe's top table next term. "I think this is a good start to get the Champions League ticket,” Origi . “We have to try to take maximum points and I think we have all the tools to do this,” he said. “Everybody’s very hungry and we have one goal in common, and that’s to finish in the highest spot possible in the league. We’re on a good way and we have to continue.” WhBurnley striker Chris Wood has picked up an unwanted Premier League record this season.The New Zealand international has had won the unfortunate title of being caught offside more than any other player.Wood, 27, was flagged offside 53 times in his 38 appearances.Second-placed Glenn Murray (wn with Manchester City.The Reds host Pep Guardiola's champions at Anfield next Sunday, in a mouthwatering encounter between the Premier League's top two.But the Anfield chief, whose side sit six points clear at the top, says he isn't even thinking aBrighton) had 15 less offsides than Wood.ich Merseyside team will win a major trophy next?1000+ VOTES SO FAR

Nicklas Bendtner was stretchered off during win over Birmingham. The former Arsenal striker landed awkwardly following a challenge from Michael Morrison, just before the hour mark. was in clear discomfort as he held his ankle before a stretcher was signalled to be brought on. After a lengthy stoppage, the Dane was carried off but required oxygen as he left the City Ground pitch. Forest picked up a morale-boosting 3-1 victory to end their winless run. The Reds had gone six gay Ndombele.Spurs had reportedly agreed a fee of 60m for the France international.But Aulas says he wants more from the North London club."If I wait another eight days, it will be €80 million," Aulas said on RMC."Tottenham made us an opening offer wmes without a success but took an early lead through Eric Lichaj after good work from Bendtner. The striker's replacement Apostolos Vellios mad him about a move to PSG.Leonardo only took charge of PSG last month, but his presence as sporting director went some way to persuading Herrera about a move to Paris. The midfielder revealed: "When you leave a big club like Manchester United, the onde an instant impact as he turned Henri Lansbury's cross. Lukas Jutkiewicz got one back for the visitors before Hildeberto Pereira made sure of the win. Will Nicklas Bendtner fire Nottingham Forest to promotion?500+ VOTES SO FAR

convihas told Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham he's in his plans amid interest from Nigeria.Nigeria Football Federation president Melvin Amaju Pinnick stated earlier this month that Abraham would have a better chance of getting games with his country than winced to join Celtic by telling the youngster to ring Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling and ask them for their opinions of the Northern Irishman as a manager. Dembele moved to Parkhead from Fulham last summer despite having more lucrative offers on the table elsewhere. He's shone in green and white this season, scoring 27 goals in 41 appearances to alert Europe's most high-profile clubs. and are the latest clubs to join the hunt for the 20-year-old striker, while Chelsea also retain an interest in him. Speaking to the , Dembele's agent and close friend Mamadi Fofana revealed the role Rodgers played in his client's move to Scotland. He said: "Brendan was clear. He explained that Celtic could not pay what some of the other clubs in Europe could pay. "He even knew what those other offers were. Brendan knew what was going on. "But what he promised Moussa was that he’d have fun, he’d get his chances to play and he’d be at a top club with everything put in place for him to become a better player, so long as you are willing to work. "He said, 'If you don’t believe me, take my phone, call Luis Suarez and ask him what he thinks about me, call Raheem Sterling. I’ve developed many players and you can be one of those, but it’s up to you. You will get money in your life, but right now, you are young enough to work and learn and then the big money will follow.' "That was roughly the speech and the fact it was coming from a world-class manager was a turning point for Moussa. He was convinced. "Although things had to be sorted financially, Brendan wanted Moussa to be his first signing and he was. "The rest of the story is obvious to everyone." Will Moussa Dembele still be at Cof Liverpool fullback Trent Alexander-Arnold.Wan-Bissaka, 21, moved to Old Trafford from Crystal Palace in a £50million deal last week.And Parker, who was an excellent right-back during his time playing for United, believes he will prove to be a beteltic next term?2000+ VOTES SO FAR

Mike Ashley has an explosive message for his big spending He said on Monday: “All I say is, there is a bank account, when you have emptied it, it’s empty, don’t come crying to me for more money.....” The club owner has watched his club spend £80m in transfer fees since the summer, self-financed by healthy club profits. says the spree, on the likes of Aleksandar Mitrovic, Gini Wijnaldum and Jonjo Shelvey, represented having “a proper go at it this season...” “I think everyone can agree with that,” Ashley added. “But the results haven’t been ideal.” Critics would argue it simply patched up the club after a couple of years of under-investment and stagnation. But with the club mired in the relegation zone, they are facing a huge cut in television income if they drop to the Championship – from a guaranteed £100m at least, to £37m in “parachute” payments. With a wage bill estimated to be currently more than £80m, relegation could mean Newcastle need another emergency loan from Ashley. Back in 2009 he had to loan £40m to secure the finances after relegation, and win promotion at the first attempt. So when he was asked by the Mirror how much was left in the bank account for Newcastle, Ashley replied: “Virtually, nothing now. They have emptied it.” So far the club has cost Ashley £262m. That breaks down to £133m to buy it from the Hall and Shepherd families. And a loan of £129m, according to the last published accounts, given “interest free.” Ashley’s payback is using St James’ Park as a billboard for Sports Direct with more than 100 logos on view on match days. Ashley is happy for all the cash United generates to be reinvested in players and “having a go.” That means if United do stay in the Premier League, Benitez will get another huge transfer pot because of the income the club would be guaranteed. But he is reluctant to plough in any more of his personal fortune. Speaking at Sports Direct HS in Shirebrook, he claimed he has little involvement in the running of the club. He said: “I have virtually nil affect on Newcastle United, in reality, because I only pick the board.” Explaining his stewardship of Newcastle, he says “negativity” surrounding his ownership caused him to “step back” from the front line. He added: “To get a football club to be the best it can be, you have to get the sun, the moons and the stars to align perfectly. “But there is negativity around me as an individual when it comes to Newcastle, so the best thing was to make sure it was on solid ground and then step back and get them to self manage Newcastle. “Create a board, get the board to appoint the manager, put the manager on the boardNew Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri has revealed he has plans for Federico Bernardeschi.Sarri admits he's a big fan of the midfielder.He stated, “Everyone knows I like this lad, ever since Fiorentina-Napoli. "He is well-organised, has talent, but lacks a little bit of consistency from game to game.“I think this is the moment of his career where he needs to play consistently in one single role." as well and then not interfere. “I don’t know what players they sign, I don’t know what team they are going to pick on a Saturday. “I don’t really want to have any influence in football to be honest. Looking after Sports Direct is more than a full time job.” Ashley would not publicly consider relegation, expressing total faith in Benitez, who took over from sacked Steve McClaren ten days ago. Fans are not so confident, and Ashley will see his club facing huge financial cutbacks if they drop. Some fans see relegation as a way of getting rid of Ashley, but the opposite is the case. He’s found he can’t sell the club in the top flight, never mind after a two thirds cut in TV income. Relegation would be a disaster – causing Benitez to activate his break orts chief Luis Campos admits they already face a battle to keep hold of Victor Osimhen.He has scored seven goals this season and been watched by Newcastle United chief scout Steve Nickson.The Toon's interest has reached Campos, who concedes: "I woulclause, top name players sold and another search for a manager. Ashley, with the bullishness of a self-made billionaire who hates failure, added: “I think we have the right man for the job. If there is any hope of Newcastle staying up, let’s hope Rafa can do it. “Eventually, we will have some good times again.” That very much hinges on the final eight games, and a quick revival in fortunes on the pitch. Will Newcastle beat the drop?2000+ VOTES SO FAR

Manchester United's stars were put through their paces in training on Friday, United.United sit 14th in the English top flight – just two points above the relegation zone - following Sunday's draw with arch-rivals Liverpool.And Blind says it has been difficult to watch the plight of his former side this season."Of course I'two days ahead of their Premier League clash against Stoke. will be looking to make it three wins in eight days following a thumping 4-1 victory over champions Leicester last weekend and a less convincing on Thursday evening. Zlatan Ibrahimovic's goal proved decisive as the Red Devils laboured to their first points in their campaign in Europe's secondary competition. The matches come thick and fast after the Milner will renew with Liverpool this summer.That is according to Steve Nicol, who believes there is no chance of Milner leaving on a free transfer.The English midfielder is out of contract, but given his value to the club, Nicol thinks he will exte international break, and boss Jose Mourinho has described the congested schedule as a 'poisoned gift'. "Well, we could play Liverpool on the Saturday, we could play Liverpool on the Sunday," the United manager said. "We play Liverpool on the Monday. "So maybe we don't have the best conditions, especially because we play against two top Premier League games that don't play in European competitions. "We had this kind of poisoned gift of playing on the Monday. That creates a very difficult situation, but we want to try and qualify for the next round. We want to try. "(There is a) long time to go, almost a month, but we want to try, so we will play against Fenerbahce with a team with possibilities to beat Fenerbahce." Who will win?2000+ VOTES SO FAR

Didier Drogba has become a player AND owner of a club. , has become part-owner of Phoenix Rising FC and will also be turning out for them in America's United Soccer League. The legend has already taken tips from the Blues' Russian billionaire supremo Roman Abramovich about the project and hopes to help guide the Arizona club into by 2020. Phoenix have also signed ex-England winger Shaun Wright-Phillips and are ready to recruit more Premier League stars. Drogba, who is hoping they can build on the increased interest in football in the United States, turned down offers from the Premier League, Championship, Far East and South America to start a new adventure in what has already been a glittering career and will also move his family out to live in Phoenix. “I don’t think there’s been another player and co-owner, but this shows you how things are changing, how the league is changing and how football is becoming attractive and I’m really happy to have chosen this," he said. “I have spoken many times with Roman Abramovich, not only on this occasion, and trust me it’s not easy to be an owner. He supports me. "It’s not crazy. It just looks crazy! It’s different from what my friends, ex-team-mates are doing. "But of course I had some oo Madrid early ahead of the Champions League final.The Sun says Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino will not be taking his squad on a warm-weather camp like Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool in the build up to the crunch clash.Instead he will head to Spain in ffers to play, to carry on playing in the Premier League, in the Championship as well. The Middle East, China, Brazil… but there's only one club for me in England, and that's Chelsea. “When this came I really had to consider it. "It’s a big project and they offered me the chance to become co-owner with my experience and knowledge from football for all these years as a player, to help the club to grow and become a big part of the MLS.” Drogba had a hugely successful 18 months at Montreal Impact, where he gained affection for MLS as he helped the Canadians reach the play-offs for the first time ever, and also becoming first man on his MLS debut. The Ivorian’s other side had already been evident at Chelsea. They tried to bring him back last season to join Guuss from the 2019 Copa Libertadores Femenina, which was held in Ecuador in October. We also discuss the recent announcement that Olympique Lyon's Parent Group was purchasing the Tacoma/Seattle Reign FC of the NWSL and the short and long-term implicatio Hiddink’s staff recognising that he has a passion for football beyond his playing career. Eden Hazard credited him for the phone call which persuaded him to join Chelsea, while the likes of Eric Bailly and Idrissa Gueye also rang Drogba to seek his advice before moving to England. Now, Major League Soccer looks as if it will get the benefit of his expertise. Phoenix are effectively in the third tier of the US football pyramid and are managed by former Ipswich defender Frank Yallop. Drogba just laughs when asked whether being co-owner of the club means he is going to undroppable. “I’ve had that conversation and question already,” he smiles. “As far as the coaching and technical aspect goes, when I’m there, I’m a player. There’s no way I can say to the manager that he has to play me! “If I manage to play until I’m 40, it’s going to be a great achievement. "My focus will be more on the business side of it. I’m not going to interfere into the manager’s decisions. On the pitch, I’m a player and answerable to the manager. In the boardroom, I’m part of the executive board. “I was at the MLS for for a year and a half with Montreal Impact and I saw it, you have to go there and see it. “The quality of the play is good. "A lot of young players are coming up and this is the league that is growing. It’s good for me, it’s important for me to be part of it. It was a big part of my decision to go there.”

Former Tottenham and Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood was handed a two-match stadium ban after unleashing a foul-mouthed tirade towards a referee during 1-0 defeat to Bury in February. Referee Mark Brown was on the receiving end of the verbal attack, which included being labelled 'a 'f****** mug', after awarding a penalty against the Robins. - now director of football at the League 1 club - has since served the ban after his abusive behaviour in the match at the County Ground saw the FA take action. Sherwood was not best pleased after Brown pointed to the spot just before half time when Swindon's Raphael Branco was deemed guilty of shirt-pulling. Brown provided a detailed post-match report which read, "After the half time whistle, and as I was walking downo underestimating Wolves this weekend.Liverpool know they must beat Wolves at Anfield on Sunday and hope Manchester City fail to beat Brighton at the Amex if they are to win the league for the first time since 1990.But Klopp insists their Champions n the tunnel Tim Sherwood of Swindon Town approached me and said 'You're the only f***** in the ground that's f****** seen it you f****** mug'. "He then started pointing aggressively in my face. "I told him to calm down and stop pointing at me or he would be sitting in the stands for the second half. He then continued 'I wasn't even in the dugout you f****** mug and you would be doing me a favour'. "I told him I wanted to speak to him at my dressing room but he ignored me and walked off towards the Swindon changing room. I followed him and stood outside and told the coaching staff I wanted Mr Sherwood to come outside as I needed to speak to him. "After approx 45 seconds Mr Sherwood walked out and walked past me and I informed him 'that he would be reported for his comments towards me. "His reply was 'f*** off you mug'. I then entered my dressing room area and informed the stewards of my decision and that if Mr Sherwood tries to come down into the technical area he should not be allowed." Sherwood accepted a charge of misconduct and was fined £2,000 and warned about his future behaviour, in addition to the two-game ban. Thstriker Eddie Nketiah admits that he is lucky to be learning from top strikers at the club.Nketiah has the chance to play with the likes of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.He highlights the importance of learning from such veterans,e ban meant Sherwood was not present for Swindon's victories over Coventry and Gillingham, and since his return to the stands they have lost four consecutive matches ad have slipped to 22nd in the table.

They won the title last season by eight points, so maybe it is time they gave everyone else a chance. So the rest of the Premier League should probably take heart when Jose Mourinho says are going to start playing with ten men. Yes, really. Mourinho will take a training session this week to practise so they can cope better the next time they get a player sent off. “The only thing I can do this week in relation to this game is to train with ten men so the next time we have ten men we know better what we have to do,” he said after Saturday's season-opening home . “Maybe it’s something we can improve upon. Sometimes I do it, sometimes I don’t, but I didn’t train to play with ten men in this pre-season.” Maybe that shows that Mourinho is expecting more red cards this season, having had two in their last three Premier League games. So if you thought Mourinho had overcome his paranoia about referees then perhaps you had better think again. He was snarling about Thibaut Courtois’ sending-off, wants the red card rescinded and even turned his anger and his frustration on his own medical staff. The same old whingeing, same old complainix weeks of action.The Reds were initially optimistic that the defender would recover from a knee knock sustained in the win over Sheffield United.He featured in 1-1 draw with Manchester United on October 20 but missed Sunday's win over Tottenham.Thets and same old Mourinho. Mind you, blaming a physio for coming on to treat a player is a new one and remarkably petty. But the worry for the fans is whether it is the same old Chelsea. Maybe it’s just an early blip. But last season they looked imperious, strong in defence, creative in midfield and ruthless up front. This season they’ve made a disappointing start, including losing to Arsenal in the Community Shield. While that is just a friendly, they certainly weren’t at their best against Swansea either. Next up? Manchester City. Away. They’ll need to find their form and some rhythm pretty quickly. And surely this season will be a lot tougher if they are to retain the title. Diego Costa, , looked half-fit but still played. What does that say about alternatives Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao? They look vulnerable in defence — Swansea left winger Jefferson Montero tore Branislav Ivanovic to shreds, while John Terry and Gary Cahill weren’t as commanding as last season. Cesc Fabregas, so outstanding last season, was disappointing and the squad looks in need of new blood. Chelsea look undercooked following an exhaustive pre-season and while their rivals have broken the bank, Mourinho hasn’t done much business in the transfer market. It is a worry because as you are always there to be shot at - and Swansea had them in their sights. Garry Monk’s men were superb, full of energy, work-rate and running. Jonjo Shelvey dominated midfield and Swansea could have been ahead before Oscar’s free-kick gave the champions a 23rd minute lead. Andre Ayew, showing great composure, equalised before Chelsea regained the lead on the half-hour when Willian’s cross/shot looped in off Federico Fernandez. The real talking point came after half-time when Courtois rushed out, caught Bafetimbi Gomis and got sent off. It was a definite penalty but maybe Mourinho has a point on the red card as Gary Cahill was chasing back. Substitute keeper Asmir Begovic’s first task was to pick the ball out of the net when Gomis netted the spot-kick. And it could have been worse for Chelsea but for some excellent Begovic saves, while Mourinho’s frustrations spilled over in stoppage time. He claimed club doctor Eva Carneiro was “naive” and “didn’t understand” the game because she came onto the pitch to treat Eden Hazard. “The problem was that I had ten men and the moment the medical department puts a foot on the pitch then I have got nine men,” said Mourinho. “They must be sure the player has a real problem and not a little knock and with myays he is no stranger to the Blues' shortlist having been linked for some time as a post-ban option.Chelsea will face competition from Valencia for Atal's signature.The full-back played 29 times as Nice reached seventh in last season's Ligue 1.But fi experience and the way I read the game I could clearly see it was not a problem. Without any doubt, if you are involved in the game then you have to understand the game.” plunged new depths but the Chelsea boss insisted that Begovic’s saves show that they do not miss Petr Cech and he was also pleased with Costa’s fitness. But Mourinho did make it clear again that he is still angry Cech joined arch-rivals Arsenal. “We don’t miss Petr. We’ve got a good keeper, the problem with Petr is not that we miss him because we have two excellent keepers. The problem with Petr is that an opponent is better than before,” said Mourinho. “Diego did very well. He is okay, he is very happy and also with the reaction from his body after such a hard game.” Are you worried, Chelsea fans?0+ VOTES SO FAR